Erick C. Howard

Litigation

Partner

For nearly 30 years, Erick Howard has helped clients protect their ideas, brands, and technology so they can focus on growing their businesses.

Erick combines deep expertise in intellectual property law—including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and patents—with a practical, business-minded approach to solving problems and avoiding them before they arise.

Erick has guided clients through the process of securing and maintaining protection for thousands of trademarks, copyrightable works and trade secrets. When disputes do occur, he is a skilled and experienced trial lawyer who has successfully represented clients in intellectual property cases across the United States and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Copyright Office. He also has extensive experience handling contract disputes, business torts and other complex commercial litigation.

Erick works closely with clients to understand their businesses, priorities and goals. He focuses on developing clear, efficient strategies to safeguard their intellectual property, strengthen their competitive position, and prevent costly disputes whenever possible.

Bar Association of San Francisco/Justice & Diversity Center: Board of Directors, 2016-2021; Coro Center for Civic Leadership -Northern California: Board of Directors, 2012-2021; Lawyer Representative for the Northern District of California: Lawyer Representative, 2015-2018, Lawyer Representative Committee, Co-Chair, 2018-2019; Northern District Standing Committee Regarding Professional Conduct: Member, 2025 — present; Association of Business Trial Lawyers; Charles Houston Bar Association; American Bar Association

University of Chicago Law School; J.D., 1996 | Northwestern University; B.S., political science, 1993